CNN has reassigned Jim Acosta, known for his confrontational exchanges with former President Donald Trump, to a midnight show.
Notably, this shift follows layoffs at the network and has, in turn, drawn praise from some of Acosta's colleagues, the Daily Mail reported.
Acosta, who rose to prominence as a CNN White House correspondent, frequently clashed with Trump, thereby drawing significant media attention. These confrontations temporarily cost him his press credentials, a move contested by CNN, which ultimately succeeded in having them restored.
Nevertheless, not everyone at CNN supported Acosta's approach. For instance, network insiders often viewed his style as grandstanding, thereby causing friction among his peers. One insider revealed, "Jim is one of the least-liked and most eye-rolled of all the talent at CNN, and this has been a longstanding status."
CNN announced Jim Acosta's new role alongside news of 200 layoffs within the network. Consequently, the timing raised suspicions that the decision might signal an effort to realign the network's image under new leadership amidst ongoing organizational changes.
Reflecting on Acosta's previous role, colleagues noted that he often seemed more concerned with being a part of the story rather than reporting it. "He's insufferable, an egomaniac. If he can make himself part of the story, he will," commented an unnamed source.
Although Acosta's reporting style escalated his profile, leading him to host a morning show and author a bestselling book, The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America, it also contributed to internal competition and animosity at CNN. In fact, one source jestingly commented about Acosta's on-air appearance: "His jealousy is even visibly thicker than his makeup and hardened hair gel."
Despite Acosta's contentious nature, his morning show attracted some of the highest ratings on CNN, illustrating that while his approach polarized colleagues within the network, it resonated with a significant audience.
CNN's network boss, Mark Thompson, confirmed the shift to a midnight slot, casting uncertainty over Acosta's future. Reports indicate that Acosta is considering leaving CNN instead of accepting the new, less visible position.
A former CNN staffer shared insights into the network's strategic moves, saying, "Everyone knows he's the guy who constantly sparred with Trump, and I imagine that's not the look that the network is going for right now." This reiterates the belief that Acosta’s relocation is part of a broader strategy to modify the network’s public image.
Regardless of internal critiques, Acosta has had his champions and supporters both within and outside the journalistic community. In his defense of robust journalism, Acosta once said during a segment, "Journalists exist to seek the truth, to tell people's stories, to lift voices that may not be heard otherwise."
"To shine a light on injustice and hold the powerful accountable, we are not the enemy of the people, we are the defender of the people," Acosta boldly stated, encapsulating his philosophy towards journalism and his role as a reporter.
CNN's decision to realign a high-profile journalist like Jim Acosta raises questions about balancing personality-driven journalism with the traditional roles of reporters. As the network navigates significant transitions, moving Acosta to a midnight slot will likely become a critical case study in the evolving landscape of television news journalism.
